Intensive Care Units (ICU) cater to patients with the most serious injuries and illnesses, most of which are life-threatening and need constant, close monitoring and support from equipment and medication in order to maintain normal bodily functions. They have higher levels of staffing and specialist monitoring and treatment equipment, alongside doctors and critical care nurses who are highly trained in caring for the most severely ill patients

High Dependency Unit (HDU) – Many hospitals have a transitional High Dependency Unit (HDU) for patients who require close observation, treatment and nursing care that cannot be provided on a general ward, but whose care is not at a critical enough level to warrant an ICU bed. These units are also called step-down, progressive and intensive recovery units and are utilised until a patient’s conditions stabilises enough to qualify them for discharge to a general ward